Thermostat adjusting device



Nov. 18, 1941.

THERMOSTAT ADJUSTING DEVICE Fil ed Aug: 3, 193a" V 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS tion as used in connection with a thermostatically I tratedin Fig.

Patented Nov. 18, 1941 Frank Slezak, Maspeth, Long island, NI signor to Thermo-Mix, 111e, a,corporat onof New York if e A licaticniAu'gust's, 1938,Serial1vo.22 2,895 14 Claims. (cites-4hr) This invention "relates to a thermostat adjusting device, and more particularly to such a de viceas applied to a thermostatic element serving as-a'contrclling' element. 1 i

Ari-object of this invention isgto provide a simple positive arrangement feradjusting one *end ofather-mostatic element. l I

Another object of my inventionis to increase the range of control of ithe'usual thermostatic element. 7 I

A {further object of my'invention is to provide an arrangement for adjusting one'end of athermostaticielement in sucha manner as to increase its range of operable control, as compared with the adjusting mea'ri's 'nowused in the art.

,Further objects and advantages of my invention will be obvious from a study (if the attached specification and drawings wherein; I

"Fig. 1 is' a front view or one form ofmy invencontrolled valve;

Fig. 2 is a top view partially in cross section of the construction shown in Fig; 1', the valve having been removed; f

Fig'. 3 a detailed view of the-therinostatcarrying element provided in Figs, land ;2;

Eig. 411s a front view of my construction as applied to a thermosftatically controlled mixing valve, the front of the casing and the handle being removed to expose the interior construction; l .Fig, 5 is a top view of justing means; l

Fig. 6 is a front view of the construction-inns a modified form of ad- Fig. 71' is a top view ofa third form"of adjusting means; and, v I f i Fig; 8 is a front view of'the'niodification illustrated inFiguY. l l

As illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, my improved thermostatic element adjusting device is, admirably though not-necessarily, adapted for use with a valve designated as Wwhi'ch may be, for example, of the type disclosed in my cop'ending application Serial No. 180,923 filed Decamber .21, 1987, nowU. S; Patent 'No. 2,235,651, issued March 18, 19.41, or of the type disclosed in :United States patent to Becker No. 1,787,304 issued December 30, I930. The mixing valve indicated at it! is usually provided'Wi-th a base portion '12 in which are formed openings I 4 communicating on the one hand with'the interior of the valve proper and on the other hand 'with the conduits leading thereto. A temperature regulated valve such 'as the mixing valve It is usually-controlled by a thermostatic element responsive' to the temperature'of the fluidJtO be mixed; .lThis thermostatic element has :been; in,- dicated 'byqtheareference numeral [I6 and shown asua bi' metalli'c element. Oneend of the thermostatic element I6 may be connected toycontrol the valve proper 'through an arm I8 rotatably mounted to actuate this valve, and fpivotallylinterconnected With-fiche end of the thermostatic elementlii' by means such as a link 20. other end of'thethermostatic element It isad justablyattached tothe valve 10, in this case, to its base I 2, by attachment: to an upstanding edge 22 0f a member 2A slidablypositioned in the, base member,|2., In the preferred form oiimy1constructionthe memberldl is formed somewhat in the shape :of a U having legs zfi which slidably fit into suitable op'enings in; theba-se member of the valveslfl. For-adjusting ther positionof the member --24 s and lthuswth'ez-adjustable end of the thermostat IS, in the preferred embodiment of mydcons'tru'cti'on, *show'n Tin Figs. ,1 i to 4 inclusive, 9. r0ller'whee128rotatably mounted/on a 'crank 311 may be provi'de'd;*The cran'k 3 ll isypivotally mounted for rotation upon thebasemember l2 and at its other end is pivotally connected to a iii cross link 32;"Thecross link is inturn pivotall'y interconnected withta lever 34- which at its rear end is mounted for rotation upon another portioniof the base member -12. The pivotal interconnection betweenthe cross link 32 and the lever 34 may be brought about in anysuitable manner but "I prefer the construction illustrated wherein the lever 34 is: provided with an upstanding portion 36 having a vertical slot 38 therein. A stub shaft .ornscrew '40: extends transversely across'this slot and the crosstlink 32 is rotatably mounted upon the stub shaft 41]. This construction permits relative shifting of the cross link 32 relative-to the stub"shaft:40,which shifting will be causedbythe fact that as the lever 34 swings about itspivot upon the base member 12, its effective length in thedirectionof the cross link 32 will change. As will be "noted particularly from Fig.2, the slot 38 has a greater width than that of the cross link 32 so as to permit this relative sliding movement.

The motion of the lever 34 is transmitted to thesliding member 24 any suitable means, here illustrated as a stud threaded into an upraised portion 44 upon thesliding member 24 and engaging the lever 34 through the slotted opening 46. This slotted opening permits relative sliding movement between themember 24 and the lever 34, which sliding movement is necessary The due to the different paths of travel. If desired, the lever 34 may be slightly enlarged at the point of its connection with the sliding member 24 in order to strengthen the construction at this point. If this arrangement is used, it is generally necessary to cut away some metal in the upstanding edge 22 of the member 24 such as the opening 50 in order to make room for the enlarged section 48.

The operation of my thermostatic element adjusting apparatus will be obvious from a study of the above described construction. If movement is imparted to the roller 28 the crank 30 will be actuated to swing about its pivot onthe base member I2. Rotation of the crank 30 will be transmitted by the cross link 32 to the lever 34 which will in turn be rotated about its pivotal connection with the base member I2. Rotation of the lever 34 is transferred as a sliding action to the member 24 which will then slide back and forth in the openings of the base member I2 into which its legs 26 are inserted. A reotilinear motion of the base member 24 is therefore provided, which through its upstanding edge 22 will transmit a rectilinear motionto the relatively fixed end of the thermostatic element I6. Any suitable means can be used for actuating the roller 28. As shown in Fig. 4, motion thereof may be brought about by means of a suitable slotted cam 52 moved by a handle 54 which may be placed on the outside of the face plate (not shown) of the entire valve assembly. It will be obvious that any other means known to those skilled in this art may be used for rotating the crank 30.

A modified construction illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 has the same object as that described above, namely, giving a rectilinear motion to the adjustable end of the thermostatic'element. As is apparent from these figures, which have again been drawn in combination with portions of a thermostatically controlled valve, there is a base portion II2 provided with fluid openings 4. A slidable member I24, preferably Ushaped, may have legs I26 which slide within suitable openings provided in the base member H2. The member I24 also has an upstanding portion I22 to which the thermostatic element (not shown) is to be attached. In this form of my invention the base member I I2 is also provided with means for journalling a shaft III. This shaft may have attached thereto for rotation therewith a pair of pinions III which are adapted to cooperate with racks II9 provided on the under side of the legs I26.

Upon rotation of the shaft III through suitable means which may include a gear II3, the pinions III cooperating with the racks II9, will transpose this rotation of the shaft III to a rectilinear motion of the slidable member I24. This in turn will in the same manner move the upstanding edge I22 to which one end of the thermostatic element is connected.

A third modified construction is illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8. This is again illustrated in connection with a thermostatically controlled valve provided with a base member 2I2 having suitable fluid openings 2I4. AU-shaped member 224 similar to that of the previous embodiments is provided with legs 226 and an upstanding edge 222 to which the thermostatic element is to be connected.

The base member 2I2, somewhat similar to the construction illustrated in'Figs. 5 and 6, is also provided with means for journalling a shaft 2| I.

Connected to the shaft 2I I for rotation therewith are provided a pair of upwardly extending cranks 260. These are pivotally interconnected with upwardly extending portions 262 of the slidable member 224 by means of connecting links 264. Attached to one of the cranks 260 may be provided a roller 228. This roller is suitably actuated by a cam of the type illustrated in Fig. 4, and movement of this roller by such a cam will thereby rotate the cranks 260 and the shaft 2I I. This pivotal motion of the cranks 2GB is transmitted as a rectilinear motion to the slidable member 224 through the pivotally interconnecting links 264.

By means of the foregoing construction the range of control of the thermostatic element is greatly increased. Those constructions in which the adjustable end of the thermostatic element is moved by a pivotally mounted link, such for example, as illustrated in the Becker Patent No. 1,787,304 provide a variation of temperature settings of from to However, by giving the adjusted end of the thermostatic element a rectilinear motion as is provided by the arrangements according to my invention, this range of set temperatures is increased from 30 to 40 so that the total variation obtainable by-means of my invention is from to Accordingly, my invention is admirably adapted for use in thermostatically controlled mixing valves in which it is desired to set the temperature of the fluid to be mixed over a wide range. In its broader aspect, however, the invention is clearly adaptable to any thermostatically controlled device wherein a wide range of set temperatures is desirable.

It will be apparent to those skilled in this art that various changes may be made in my proposed constructions. Such changes as are encompassed by the language of the following claims, are deemed to come within the scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. In a device adapted to be controlled by a thermostatic element, the combination of a base member for said device, having a pair of openings extending therethrough, a U-shaped member, the legs of which are slidably mounted in said openings in the longitudinal direction of said legs, means for attaching one end of said thermostatic element to the base of said U-shaped member, and means for slidably moving said U-shaped member relative to said base member for adjusting the attached end of said thermostatic element.

2. In a device adapted to be controlled by a thermostatic element, the combination of a base member for said device, having a pair of openings extending therethrough, a U-shaped member, the legs of which are slidably mounted in said. openings in the longitudinal direction of said legs, means for attaching one end of said thermostatic element to said U-shaped member, and means for slidably moving said U-shaped member relative to said base member for adjusting the attached end of said thermostatic element, said last means including a lever pivotally connected at one end to said base member, and intermediate its length to said U-shaped member, and means for moving the other end of said lever.

3. In a device adapted to be controlled by a thermostatic element, in combination of a base member for said device, a member slidably mounted relative to said base member, means on said base member for constraining movement of saidslidable member to a predetermined'path, means for attaching one end of saidtherr nos'tatic element to saidslidable member, and means for moving said slidable member relative to Said base member for adjustingthe attached end of said thermostatic element, said last 'I-neans including a lever pivotally connected at one end to said base member, and intermediate its length to said slidable member, a link extendingsubstantially transversely to said lever and pivoted said openings, means for attaching one end of said thermostatic element to said U-shaped member, and means for slidably moving said U-shaped member relative to said base member for adjusting the attached end of said thermostatic element, said last means including a lever pivotally connected at one end to said base memher, and intermediate its length to said U-shaped member, a linkextending substantially transversely to said lever and pivoted at one end to the other end of said lever, a crank pivotally interconnecting the other end of said link to said base member, and means for rotating said crank about its pivotal connection with said base member.

5. In a device adapted to be controlled by a thermostatic element, said device having a pair of straight passages, a U-shaped member, the legs of which are slidably mounted in said passages, means for attaching said thermostaticelement to the base of said U-shaped member, a lever pivotally connected at one end to said device for movement in a substantially horizontal plane, means for pivotally and slidably interconnecting said lever and said U-shaped member, whereby oscillation of said lever about its pivotal connection with said device produces sliding movement of said U-shaped member relative to said device, a link extending substantially transversely to said lever and pivotally interconnected thereto at one end, a crank pivotally mounted at one end on said device for movement in a substantially vertical plane, and pivotally connected at its other end to the other end of said link, and means for rotating said crank about its pivotal connection with said device, thereby producing oscillation of said arm through movement of said link.

6. The combination according'to claim 5 in which the pivotal connection between said lever and said link includes a raised portion on said lever having a vertical slot whose width is greater than that of said link, and a stub-shaft extending across said slot and rotatably supporting said link.

7. In a device adapted to be controlled by a thermostatic element, the combination of a base member for said device, a member slidably mounted relative to said base member, means on said base member for constraining movement of said slidable member to a predetermined path, means for attaching one end of said thermostatic element to said slidable member, and means for moving said slidable member relative to said base member for adjusting the attached end of said thermostatic element, said last means ineluding a rack on said slidable member, "a pinion engaging said rack, and means for 'rotating said pinion. i i t 8. In a device adapted to be controlled by a thermostatic element, the combination of a base member for said device, having a pair of openings extendingtherethrough, a-U -shaped'member, the legs of which are slidablymountedin said openings, means for attaching'one end or said thermostatic element to said U-shaped member, and means for slidably moving said U-shaped member relative to said base member for adjusting the attached end of said thermostaticelement, said last means including a rack on said U-shaped member, a pinion engaging saidrack, and means for rotating said pinion.

9. In a device adapted to be controlled by a thermostatic element, said device having a pair of straight passages, a U-shaped member, the legs of which are slidably mounted in said passages, means for attaching said thermostatic element to the base of said U-shaped member, a pair of racks, one formed on each leg of said U -shaped member, a shaft, means for rotatably mounting said shaft on said device, a pair of pinions on said shaft each engaging one of said racks, and means for rotating said shaft for moving said U-shaped member and said thermostatic element attached thereto relative to said device.

10. In a device adapted to be controlled by a thermostatic element, the combination of a base member for said device, a member slidably mounted relative to said base member, means on said base member for constraining movement of said slidable member to a predetermined path, means for attaching one end of said thermostatic element to said slidable member, and means for moving said slidable member relative to said base member for adjusting the attached end of said thermostatic element, said last means consisting of at least two members, including a crank and a link, said crank being pivoted to said base member, the link to said slidable member, and said crank and link being pivotally connected to one another, and means for rotating one of said members.

11. In a device adapted to be controlled by a thermostatic element, the combination of a base member for said device, having a pair of openings extending therethrough, a U-shaped memher, the legs of which are slidably mounted in said openings, means for attaching one end of said thermostatic element to said U-shaped member, and means for slidably moving said U-shaped member relative to said base member for adjusting the attached end of said thermostatic element, said last means consisting of at least two members, including a crank and a link, said crank being pivoted to said base member, and the link to said U-shaped member, and said crank and link being pivotally connected to one, another, and means for rotating one of said members.

12. In a device adapted to be controlled by a thermostatic element, said device having a pair of straight passages, a U-shaped member, the legs of which are slidably mounted in said passages, means for attaching said thermostatic element to the base of said U-shaped member, a shaft journalled on said device, a pair ofcranks mounted for rotation with said shaft, a pair of links, one pivotally connecting each crank with said U-shaped member, and means for rotating one of said cranks.

13. In a valve of the type having a base, a housing mounted on said base, containing a fluid-conducting conduit, a vane rotatably supported on said housing for controlling the flow of fluid from said conduit, and a thermostatic element connected at one end to said vane, the combination of a U-shaped member, the legs of which are slidably mounted in said base in the longitudinal direction of said legs, means for attaching the other end of said thermostatic element to said U-shaped member, and means for slidably moving said U-shaped member relative to said base for adjusting the position of said thermostatic element.

14. The combination according to claim 13, in which the legs of said U-shaped member extend through said base transversely to the axis of rotation of said vane.

FRANK SLEZA'K. 

